Totalizing system for plural toll stations



June 5, 1951 w. R. FUNK TOTALIZING SYSTEM FOR PLURAL TOLL STATIONS Filed Feb. 16, 1946 Patented June 5, 1951 TOTALIZING SYSTEM FOR PLURAL TOLL STATIONS William R. Funk, Chicago, Ill., assignor to Cook Electric Company, Chicago, 111., a corporation of Illinois Application February 16, 1946, Serial No. 648,126

15 Claims. I

This invention relates to a new and novel structure for recording the number of frames played in the game of bowling and to compute and record the rental due for the use of the equipment.

The structure disclosed herein is new and novel and although it has particular application to bowling alleys and especiall those bowling alleys employing automatic pin setting devices, it is to be understood that the novel features are not to be limited to this use solely.

One of the features of the invention is the provision of means for producing an impulse at the end of each game frame and for collecting such impulses as rapidly as produced and for thereafter transmitting such impulses to a receiving means adapted to energize a circuit to effect the recording of a predetermined number of said game frames and simultaneously to energize a series of circuits adapted to operate in accordance with a predetermined setting to compute the charge to be made for the use of the equipment.

Another feature of the invention is the provision of means which may momentarily cut out the collector, impulse receiving and game recording mechanism and the computing apparatus at the time of providing for a. transfer impression upon a card from the game and cost recorders whereby to prevent interference with and improper transmission of impulses imposed upon the system in the rapid and successive use of the bowling alleys.

In the game of bowling, there are usually a number of alleys grouped together and most, if not all, of them will be simultaneously used during certain periods. A complete game may consist of ten frames, or twelve frames if the player strikes out in the tenth frame. It will be apparent that the very nature of the game and the fact that many alleys are used at the same time presents areal problem to the question of recording games and computing a reasonable charge if a single mechanism is to be employed for all alleys. With the use of eight alleys as an example, frames are being completed at a rapid rate and the mechanism provided must be able to pick up the frames completed on each alley together with the completed frames on all of the other alleys without regard necessarily for the completion of a game on any one alley. Likewise, the game is played in a way making it impossible to determine through the mere use of the alley itself whether any frame that is played is the finishing frame of a game or the beginning of the next game.

The invention disclosed is directed primarily to apparatus capable of solving the above problems and of accomplishing the desired results Without employing mechanism of a complicated character or mechanism requiring an initial investment of a substantial sum of money or frequent attention in order to keep the same in an operating condition.

The invention is also concerned with apparatus capable of positive operation. The structure disclosed makes certain that all frames, irrespective of the alley or alleys on which they are completed, will be recorded. The rate of operation is such that there will be no overlapping of frames in the recording of frames on any one alley and that the frames played on one alley will not interfere with the frames played on other alleys.

If the cost is also to be computed, although it is to be understood that this part of the disclosure can be omitted in so far as the novelty of the other features are concerned, the invention disclosed will also enable the attendant to know the amount in dollar value that is owed for the frames played. The invention is designed to prevent a looking out action of the alleys from the recording control so as to prevent use of the alleys without being shown by the recording control.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detail explanation when taken in connection with the accompanying drawing.

In the accompanying drawing, the figure illustrates a schematic diagram of one form of structure embodying the invention.

The bowling alleys have not been illustrated, but they are represented by switching mechanism designated broadly as A. Switching mechanism A comprises a plurality of normally open switches I to 8, inclusive, each having a relay H and a pair of contacts 9 and I0 suitably arranged for relative movement upon energization of rela ll. Each relay ll may be of the slow release type and in a circuit including wires I2 and I3 receiving an impulse each time a frame is completed in the game of bowling. The mechanism of the structure causing current to flow through the circuit when a frame is finished is not a part of the invention disclosed, but is represented broadly at M for each bowling alley. It will be understood therefore that part l4 illustrated in the drawing is representative of a structure capasented by wire I3.

ble of indicating the completion of a frame and of transmitting an impulse through the circuit of relay II to cause contacts 9 and it to close. Switches I to 8 inclusive may vary in number according to the number of alleys connected in the control system herein disclosed. These switches may be individually constructed and mounted at each alley or they may be arranged in unitary relation in a single structure and be connected in circuit with the respective elements I4.

A collector 55 in the form of a rotary sweep switch is provided with a series of normally closed contacts l6 and Il' arranged in pairs to form individual switches designated I8, each being provided with'a normally open contact iii. A sweep arm 26 rotated by motor 25 is arranged to close each of the normally open contacts as of switches I 8 in a complete movement about its axis or about its path of travel. Assume that the bowl- ,ing alley represented for example by switch I has had a frame completed by theplayers on this alley and device i i has been operated to energize instantly relay It so as to cause the contacts 9 and It to close. With contact 9 connected in, say the positive side of a circuit represented by a wire 22, current will immediately flow from wire 22 through contacts 9 and It through wire 23 to contact I6 of switch It, then through con tact I I, a wire 24, wire I2 and through the coil of relay II to the return side of the circuit repre- Relay II will then remain energized and contacts 9 and It! will be held closed. Thus relay II will be immediately energized and current caused to flow through the contacts It and I? of switch I8, as the result of contacts 9 and It being held closed, until the circuit is broken at switch I8 by the normally open contact I9. Sweep arm 20 will effect such opening of contacts I ii and I! when it travels through its path of movement and comes into engagement with contact arm I9. It will be observed that contacts I6, I? and I9 are preferably arranged to be of the type known as the make before break so that a circuit/25 common to the contacts I9 of all the switches I8 will be momen- -tarily pulsed. If contact is of any of the switches I8 engages contact Hi, the current is caused to flow through common circuit 25, then continued movement of contact I9 will break the engagement of contact I 6 with contact I1, thus deenergizing the circuit containing contacts 9 and .ID and'relay II.

Motor 2| is in a separate circuit comprising wires 27 and 28 and a switch 29, the purpose of which will be later explained. It will be noted .that each of the switches I to 33, inclusive, is

coordinate their playing with the players on other alleys.

No. 4 can complete as many game frames as they desire without regard to whether or not any For example, the players of alley players are on any of the other alleys. If the switch I8 connected in the circuit of switch 4 of alley No. 4 has current flowing through its contacts I 6 and H, the continued movement of sweep arm 28 will repeatedly engage the contact l9 of this particular switch I8 and cause it to engage contact I6 to energize the common circuit designated 25 'and thereafter break the circuit of the 4 I switch I8 so that the relay II of alley switch 4 will be conditioned for re-energization upon completion of the next game frame, and so on, by the players on alley 4. V

The common circuit designated 25 is connected by a wire 30 connected with the coil of a relay SI of a second rotary sweep switch 32 which may be termed the game computer because it functions to advance a single step each time an impulse is frames to be allocated to a game; Assuming for the purposes of this disclosure that 11 frames are to be considered a game, every eleventh contact 34 will become a station having a switch 35 ar ranged to be actuated by sweep arm 33 when every eleventh frame is completed, whether all on one alley or on a number of alleys. Rotary switch 32 is illustrated in the drawing with two switches 35, but it will be understood that any number of sets of eleven contacts 34 may be provided. V V

Each switch 35 comprises two sets of contacts 50 and 4H and 42 and 43. Contacts 40 and 42 of each switch 35 are connected to a wire 44 in a circuit receiving current at the point 45. Gem tacts 4| and 43 are in separate circuits. Contacts 4| are connected to a wire 4% while contacts 43 are connected to a wire 4! leading to a game counter represented broadly as 48, which may be power operated and adapted to be actuated each time the circuit wire 4? is pulsed. Game counter 48 may comprise the usual power electromagnet 49 and counter wheels 50 which will be rotated in proper succession'each time the electromagnet 49 is actuated. This pulsing of circuit 41 will occur each time sweep arm 33 revolves and passes one of the stations represented by the eleventh contact 34 whereby contacts 42 will engage contacts 43 and cause the current to flow through wire 41 beginning at the point 45 and ending at the ground connection 5| of the counter electromagnet 49. It will thus be observed that game counter 48 will actuate to register a game each time a switch 35 is actuated, which will be after'a predetermined number of frames have been completed on the alleys. The game registered by counter 48 is not necessarily a game played by the players on any one alley, but will be the completion of a number of frames on all of the alleys representative of a game and 'chosen at the outset as the value to be accepted for a game through the spacing of the switches along contacts 34.

When contacts 42 and B3 of switches 35 are move to closed position upon contact 6i when a relay $4 is energized. Switch 62 is in a circuit comprising wires t5 and 66 having a normally 4| of either of the switches This will cause contact 59 toengage theother contact ll of switch 59' andenergizea 001112: of a relay Ed -to open switch 56.

Both relays 54* and '13 comprise the motormeans for actuating-a sweep-arm (notshown) of a third rotary switching device M termed herein as-a cost computer. Cost computer it, together with a cost counter. 75, registers the-amount to be. charged per game registered by the game" of stations. Between-master switches it-there is disposed anumber. of auxiliary switches is, each. comprising a movable contactfinanda stationary.

contact 8|, but thenumber ofrthelatter will vary according to. the charge to be. madeior; each game. Each station may comprise a set otter.- minals of a number greater. in terms of cents than is charged for a game. Each pair of termin-als receives one of the auxiliary switches 39. Movable contacts 8% of'all auxiliary switches 19. are connected in circuit by a wire 83, while. the fixed contacts 8! are connected in circuit by a wire 84, which also is connected toa wire 85connected to the electromagnet 86 of cost counter ?5 having a series of driven numeral wheels 88. The endof the winding of electromagnet 85 may be grounded at 8% in order to complete the circuit when current flows through wire 85 and the winding of electromagnet 861 this circuit 35ofcost computer M will be energized each time one of the auxiliary switches i 9 is" closed in order to actuate cost counter and advance the numeral" wheels one step. Each master switchiiii of'cost computer it comprises, as stated; the movable contact "Hand the stationary contact F81 with a sweep arm (notshown) ot'the same charcter as sweep arm 53 of game computer 32; but it will be, understood that any type of sweep arm may be used onany type of'actuator that is commonly employed in a rotary switching mechanism. Movable contact Hof each master switch. Tit-is connected incircuit by a wire 9.1!, the latter being connected by a wire 95 totheicoil of. relay 6 which is groundedaat the opposite endatlfifi;

In the operation of they system disclosed, .registering-a game by the'game computer 32; will. energize circuit 52, which in turn sends current throughcoiltiini relay 54.- which is grounded at 93. This causes contacts 53 and-li of switch 59 to close and actuate the ratchet mechanism (not shown.) or other mechanism provided that functions to operate thesweep arm of the cost computer l4 Whencontacts' 59 and ii are closed;

current will immediately flow from thepoirrt it;

through the circuits i iit't-iifiycontacts S t; and: 63 of switch 62 and throughwirewiitlz. The current willthen flow through contact arm contact arm H and through; the c0il.-"|'2%of.: relays lt'to However, current originally flows through coil 53 from-circuit 52 when it is energized through the closingof contacts 423 and It willbe observed that s The cost computer is prov-idedx grounds. Whenrrelay 13 i is; actuated;. the ratchet. mechanism. is again. advanced: so that a double. action creates aipositive stroke for: the ratchet.

mechanismthat operates this sweep arm oficost computer 74. One of the relays may-effect the outwardstroke. of. the pawlrof theratchet mechanism an'dthe other. relay may effect: the return movement ofrthe'pawl. In any eventya complete stroke will cause a sweep armto close thecontacts' t9 and. Stof one of. theauxiliary switches 19 and this will continueacross one set of these-auxiliary switches: until at master switch. 16 is reached, whereupon the sweep arm will close the contacts ofthis master switch 16. andenergize the circuit 85 leading to the cost counter 15;. When a master switch 16 is energized, the circuit 9|iof relay (its is energized-to causerelay 64' to-open contact 51 andiit so as to momentaril break the current flow leading to therelays 54' and: 73; Operation of relays Hand 13 is initiated when circuit 52is momentarily energizedby the closing of contacts and 4| of one off the switches 35 of game counter 32. Momentary energization of circuit 52 sets relay 54 into action soas to cause its switch 59 to be closed. This will in turn energize'the coil'circuit of relay 73 so as to cause its switch 56 to be opened. Inasmuch as the impulses through circuit 52 areof short'duration, relay 54 will be d-e-energized to open its switch 59'. This terminates the current flow through coil 12 ofrelay 'F3 to cause contacts 55and 57 to' closewhich occurs of course when this relay 13' is de-energized Current then flows through switch 56 again frcmsource 10 "through the circuit represented by wires fi5 and 6B and wire 60.

Coil 53 of relay 54 is again energized to close its switch 59 to cause flow of current through it and the'energization of relay to open switch 5t andagain deenergize relay 5'4, etc. Alternate energization of relays 5'4 and'l3 continue until the sweep arm closes one of the master switches '56. Before this occurs, however, the number of auxiliary'switches 19' in front of the master switch iii' will be" closed" so as to pulse or energize circuit" 85*each time to actuate the cost counter 15 and advance itone digit each time. Operation of a master switch Iii stops the alternate operationof relays 54 and 73' until circuit 52' isagain energizedby the contacts 40 and 4| of any one of the switches 35 of the-game computer being closed:

As previously stated, the closing of each auxiliary switch 19 advances the counter wheels of cost counter 81 onedigit. If a 7"cent charge is to be made fora game, it will be apparent that the money counter i51Wil1 be advanced seven digits ifseven-auxiliary switches 19 are provided. The arrangementdisclosedis exceptionally flexible in obtaining any desirable charge for a game. Gamecharges may notnecessarily be computed upon whole sums, but fractional charges may alsobeused. For example, every second group of auxiliary switches '59 may carry an additional auxiliary switch so that a game charge of 7%; cents will be made for each game when the cost oftwo games is registered at money counter l5. Each costcomputer '14 may be divided into four sections as illustrated in the drawing, or any other number of sections. Only one of the four sections need carry an additional auxiliary switch 19 inorder to provide an additional fractional charge of cent per game when the full cost of four games has been registered by money counter' 75; As stated, money counter I5 is arranged. to register each closing operation ofan assaeoc 7 auxiliary switch I9. Hence, any additional auxiliary switches is will add tothe cost of the games played in accordance with the number added for the number of sections into which the cost computer I9 is divided.

Suitable printing means 99 may be furnished to print the indications of counter wheels 59 of the game counter 48 and counter wheels 99 of the money counter I upon a card 91 that may be suitably inserted into a slot of the housing accommodating the structure herein disclosed. Printin mechanism 99 may be actuated either to bring counter wheels 59 and 98 against the inserted card 9'! or to raise a platform on which card' 9I is resting in order to make the printed impression.

' Printin mechanism 99 may beactuated by any suitable mechanism, there being shown a switch 98 having a contact 99 adapted to be engaged and pushed against a contact I99 to close the circuit. Contact I99 may connect at i9| to a source of current supply or one side of the circuit. Current will then flow through contact I99, contact 99 and wire I95 in circuit with the winding I92 of a slow acting relay I99. Winding I92 may connect to the opposite side of the circuit at I99. Closing switch 98 by the insertion of card 9! causes current to fiow from source I9I, through contacts I99 and 99, wire I95 through contacts I96 and I91 to a wire H19 in circuit with wires I99 and H9. Wire H9 is in circuit with the winding of relay 99 grounded at IIE. Energizing relay 68 momentarily opens switches 29 and 61 so that the motor ZI is momentarily stopped to prevent movement of its sweep arm 29 from opening any of the switches I8 of the collector I5 during a printing operation. Likewise, opening the normally closed switch 61 will momentarily prevent operation of the relays 59 and I3 that actuate the money computer 19 during the printing operation. It will, therefore, be impossible for either the collector E5 or the money computer 14 to operate and thus interfere with the printing operation while it is taking place, or, vice versa, to allow the printing operation to interfere with the operation of collector I5 and the cost computer I l.

Returning to circuit I99, current will also flow through winding I I2 of relay 9% actuating the printing mechanism. Winding H2 is grounded at II 3 to complete the circuit. When printing switch 98 is closed, current will also flow to slow acting relay I99. Being a slow acting relay, it will permit current to flow through contacts I95 and I9! to energize and actuate relays 99 and 96 before it will operate to open contacts Hi9 and I91. Hence, it will be apparent that continued flow of current through circuit I95 by any improper act of holding card 91 against contact 99 to keep switch 98 closed with the hope of looking out collector I5 and the game and cost computers'92 and I4 and permitting imrecorded use of the alleys will merely keep relay I99 energized and the contacts I99 and I 9! opened.

The employment of relay I93 and its switch comprising the contacts I 96 and I 91 permits only momentary operation of printing mechanism 99 and of the control relay 99 opening switches 29 and 61. It is, therefore, impossible to lock out collector I5 permanently by inserting a card 9! against contact 99 to close the circuit at I99. Once the relay I93 is energized, contacts I 99 and I9I will open to break the circuit of the printing mechanism 96 and then control relay 98 to restore collector I5, the game computer 32 and the money computer I4, whereby collector I5 can immediately continue to operate its sweep arm 29 to pick up frames as they are being rapidly completed by the players on the different alleys. It will be remembered that as each frame is completed,rrelay II of the alley switch will be energized to close its contacts 9 and I9. Contacts I 6 and ll of the respective switches I8 of collector I5 will continue to supply current to the relay coil to keep relay II energized and thereby to hold contacts 9 and I9 closed until sweep arm 29 has had an opportunity to close the normally open contact I9 of the switch I8 and transfer the impulse to the common circuit 25 which connects to the game computer 32 by wire 99. Rapid playing by the players on an alley will require collector I5 to be free to operate substantially at all times. Thus, it is desirable to provide the control having relay I93 to assure rapid operation for the printing and at the same time prevent the inserted card 9! being held against switch contacts 99 and I99 in order to keep collector I 5 held out and thus allow use of the alleys without operation of the game computer and the cost computer. i

From the foregoing description, it will be apparent that the invention is directed to various novel features that are capable of wide application and are not limited in their usefulness to the specific embodiment disclosed.

In its application to bowling alleys, the invention broadly provides operating means adapted to be actuated each time a frame is completed upon any one of the alleys, each. alley having as a part of this operating means a device that is held actuated when a frame is completed on the alley, there being a structure to collect the holding action of any or all of the devices and to release these devices which are being held whereby to condition them for subsequent actuation and to operate a computer to record the number of frames played on all the alleys. Collector I5 makes it impossible to play a frame without'the frame being recorded because the continuous action of sweep arm 29 of motor 2! clears the switches I8 as rapidly as is necessary to prevent loss of the next frame being recorded on any one alley and also energizes the game computer 32 at the time the switches I8 are cleared. The operation is fast and smoothly performed and it assures proper recording of all frames and a proper computation of the cost of the games.

Without further elaboration, the foregoing will so fully explain the gist of my invention that others may, by applying current knowledge, readily adapt the same for use under Varying conditions of service, without eliminating oertain features, which may properly be said to constitute the essential items of novelty involved, which items are intended to be defined and secured to me by the following claims.

I claim:

1. Control apparatus for recording the number of frames played in the game of bowling upon a number of alleys and computing the .cost thereof comprising means actuated upon the completion of each frame of any one of a predetermined number of alleys, a collector device associated with all of said means, a stepping device actuated by said collector each time any one of said means is actuated, a cost computer adapted to be operated by said stepping device 7 only after said stepping device has been actu- 9 ated a predetermined number of times by said collector, and power operated counters adapted to be operated by said stepping device and said cost computer to record the number of games played and the total cost thereof.

2. Control apparatus for recording the number of frames played in the game of bowling upon a number of alleys and computing the cost thereof comprising means for each alley adapted to be individually actuated upon the completion of each frame of any one of a predetermined number of alleys, a collector associated with all of said means, a stepping device adapted to be actuated by said collector each time any one of said means is actuated, a cost computer adapted to be operated only after said stepping device has been actuated a predetermined number of times by said collector, and power actuated counters adapted to be operated by said stepping device and said cost computer to record the number of games played and the total cost thereof.

3. Control apparatus for recording the number of frames played in the game of bowling upon a number of alleys and computing the cost thereof comprising means for each alley adapted to be selectively actuated each time a frame is completed upon any one of said alleys, each of said means being actuable independently of the other means, a collector associated with all of said means, a device adapted to be actuated by said collector each time any one of said means is actuated, a cost computer adapted to be operated by said device after a selected number of actuations by said collector, and counter mechanisms to record the number of games played and the total cost thereof, said counter mechanisms being operated respectively by said device and said cost computer.

4. Control apparatus for recording the number of frames played in the game of bowling upon a number of alleys and computing the cost thereof comprising means adapted to be selectively actuated each time a frame is completed upon any one of said alleys, a game computer, a cost computer, collector means for individually restoring said first means to non-actuated position and to operate said game computer upon each individual restoration, a game counter, said game computer having provisions to actuate said game counter after said game computer has been operated a predetermined number of times and to actuate said cost computer simultaneously with said game counter, means comprising a part of said cost computer producing continued actuation of said cost computer for a predetermined number of steps, and a cost counter actuating a corresponding number of steps each time said cost computer is actuated.

5. Control apparatus for recording the number of frames played in the game of bowling upon a, number of alleys and computing the cost thereof comprising means adapted to be selectively actuated each time a frame is completed upon any one of said alleys, a game computer, a cost computer, collector means restoring said first means and opcrating said game computer, a game counter, said game computer being operated upon each restoration to actuate said game counter only upon a predetermined number of operations, a cost counter, connections between said game computer and said cost computer to effect actuation of the latter only when said game counter is actuated, and means effecting a continued predetermined number of operations of said cost computer when once it is actuated whereby said cost counter is correspondingly actuated to indicate total cost of games played.

6. Control apparatus for recording the number of frame played in the game of bowling upon a number of alleys and computing the cost thereof comprising means adapted to be selectively actuated each time a frame is completed upon any one of said alleys, a game computer, a cast com puter, means to restore said frst means and to operate said game computer upon each release, a game counter, said game computer being operated upon each restoration to actuate said game counter only upon a, predetermined number of operations, a cost counter, connections between said game computer and said cost computer to effect actuation of the latter only when said game counter is actuated, means effecting a continued predetermined number of operations of said cost computer when once it is actuated whereby said cost counter is correspondingly actuated to indicate total cost of games played.

7. Control apparatus for recording the number of frames played in the game of bowling upon a number of alleys and computing the cost thereof comprising means adapted to be selectively actuated each time a frame is completed upon any one of said alleys, a game computer, a cost computer, means to restore said first means and to operate said game computer, a game counter, said game computer being operated upon each restoration to actuate said game counter only upon a predetermined number of operations, a cost counter, connections between said game computer and said cost computer to effect actuation of the latter only when said game counter is actuated, means to effect a continued predetermined number of operations of said cost computer when once it is actuated whereby said cost counter is cor respondingly actuated to indicate total cost of games played, and means for restricting the period of operation of said deenergizing means to prevent a continued improper locking out of all of said apparatus from computing and recording the number of games played and the total cost thereof.

8. Control apparatus for recording the number of frames played in the game of bowling upon a number of alleys and computing the cost thereof comprising means adapted to be selectively actuated each time a frame is completed upon any one of said alleys, a game computer, a cost computer, means for restoring said first means and to operate said game computer, there being provisions to actuate said cost computer after said game computer has been operated a predetermined number of times, means comprising a part of said cost computer to efi'ect continued actuation of said cost computer for a predetermined number of steps, and a cost counter actuated a corresponding number of steps each time said cost computer is actuated.

9. Control apparatus for computing the cost based upon a predetermined rate of the number of frames played in the game of bowling upon a number of alleys comprisingmeans adapted to be selectively actuated each time a frame is completed upon :any one of said alleys, a game computer, a cost computer, means for restoring said first means and to operate said game computer upon each individual restoration, there being provisions to actuate said cost computer after said game computer has been operated a predetermined number of times, means comprising a part of said cost computer to effect continued actuation of said cost computer for a predetermined 11 number of steps, a cost counter actuated a corresponding number of steps each time said cost computer is actuated, printing means to effect an impression upon an inserted card of the readings of said cost counter, and means for preventing operation of the aforesaid apparatus during the printing operation.

10. Control apparatus for recording the number of frames played in the game of bowling upon a number of alleys and computing the cost thereof comprising means adapted to be selectively actuated each time a frame is completed upon any one of said alleys, a game computer, a cost computer, means for restoring said first means and to operate said game computer, there being provisions to actuate said cost computer after said game computer has been operated a predetermined number of times, means comprising a part of said cost computer to effect continued actuation of said cost computer for a predetermined number of steps, a cost counter actuated a corresponding number of steps each time said cost computer is actuated, printing means to effect an impression upon an inserted card of the readings of said cost counter, means for preventing operation of the aforesaid apparatus during the printing operation, and means for restricting the period of operation of said last means to prevent a continued locking out of the aforesaid apparatus from computing and recording the total cost of the games played.

11. Control apparatus for recording the number of frames played in the game of bowling upon a number of alleys and computing the cost thereof comprising individual means for each alley each adapted to be selectively actuated each time a frame is completed upon its corresponding alley, a collector for restoring each actuated means to non-actuated position, a cost computer and a counter therefor, connections between said collector and said computer and counter, means interposed in certain of said connections adapted to be actuated by said collector each time one of said selective actuating means is restored, said interposed means effecting actuation of said cost computer after a predetermined number of actuations of said interposed means, said cost counter being actuated upon each actuation of said cost computer.

12. Control apparatus for recording the cost of the number of frames played in the game of bowling upon a number of alleys and computing the cost thereof comprising means adapted to be selectively actuated each time a frame is completed upon one of said alleys, a collector for restoring said alley actuated means to non-actuated position, a cost computer and a counter therefor, connections between said collector and said computer and counter, means interposed in certain of said connections adapted to be actuated by said collector each time said collector restores said alley actuated means to non-actuated position, said interposed means effecting actuation of said cost computer after a predetermined number of actuations of said interposed means, said cost counter being actuated upon each actuation of said cost computer.

13. Control apparatus for recording the number of frames played in the game of bowling upon a number of alleys and computing the cost thereof which comprises a plurality of normally open switches, one of which is adapted to be closed when a frame is completedupon one; of the alleys, a stepped rotary switching device having a pair of normally closed contacts and a normally open contact for each of said switches, each pair. of closed contacts being connected in series with one of said normally open switches, a common circuit for all of said open contacts, means rotatable by said rotary switching device to cause said open contacts 'successivelyto engage one of said closed contacts of the respective pairs to receive an impulse therethrough if said normally open switch in series therewith has been closed by the completion of a frame upon one of the alleys, further movement of said rotatable means effecting separation of the said closed pair of contacts to effect opening of said normally open switch in series therewith, a second stepped rotary switching device having a plurality of stations and contacts at certain of said stations, a circuit connection between saidcommon circuit and said second rotary switching device to cause stepping thereof on each pulse imposed upon said common circuit, a counter adapted to be operated each time said contacts of said second rotary switching device are closed, a cost computer actuable by said game computer, and a cost counter operable by said cost computer.

1 1. Control apparatus for recording the number of frames played in the game of bowling upon a number of alleys comprising operating means adapted to be actuated each time a frame is completed upon any one of said alleys, said operating means including a device for each alley, means to hold each device actuated when a frame is completed on its alley, means to determine the state of said devices and to interrupt said holding means whereby to condition them for subsequent actuation, a computer operated by said determining means each time it interrupts the holding means for one of said devices, a counter actuated by said computer, mechanism for printing the reading of said counter, and means temporarily to render said determining means inoperative during said printing operation but to prevent a permanent locking out of the same.

15. Control apparatus for recording the number of frames played in the game of bowling upon a number of alleys comprising relay mechanism, a rotary switch mechanism in circuit with said relay mechanism, a game computer in circuit with said rotary switch mechanism, a game counter adapted to be operated by said game computer, printing mechanism, means for operating said printing mechanism including a circuit adapted to be energized upon each printing operation, a control for disabling said computer during a printing operation, and a second control for limiting the disabling period of said computer.

WILLIAM R. FUNK.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Stewart et a1 Feb. 16, 1937 

